Study: The number of deaths from air pollution in the United States decreased by half between 1990 and 2010

October 21 (UPI) – In two decades, from 1990 to 2000, the number of deaths attributable to air pollution was halved.

The new study, published Friday in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, is only the latest to show that protection against pollution has had a positive impact on human health and the environment.

Researchers at the University of North Carolina have developed a model capable of estimating the number of deaths caused by air pollution each year. The statistical model is based on previous research on the effects of air pollution on health. The model is populated with the help of measurements of PM2.5 and ozone.

Particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter can be inhaled deep into the lungs. Pollution has been associated with a variety of human illnesses, including lung disease, heart disease, stroke and cancer.

The simulation examined the relationship between ozone and PM2.5 concentrations and population decline in US cities. The CDC data helped the simulation to identify the number of deaths attributable to air pollution.

According to the model, deaths due to air pollution decreased by 49% between 1990 and 2010.

"These health improvements have probably continued beyond 2010, as we observe that concentrations of air pollutants have continued to decline," researcher Yuqiang Zhang said in a press release.

A study published last month showed that environmental regulations were largely to improve air quality during the second half of the 20th century.

Although this is good news, the results of the latest study point to the widespread impact of pollution on human health. The simulation showed that one in every 35 deaths in the United States can be attributed at least in part to air pollution.

Previous studies have shown that air pollution reduces the expectation of global life by at least a year.

"While tangible successes have been registered, there are still people dying and the public health challenge is yet to come," said Jason West, a professor of environmental science and engineering at UNC. "New federal policies reducing air pollution regulations will likely slow down the improvement in air quality or possibly worsen its quality."